Tag: education

Speaking and listening in learning environments is critical and the way classrooms are designed acoustically can have a profound influence on learning outcomes. This is particularly true among students from differing language backgrounds; and across the spectrum of disorders which may affect hearing, concentration or sensitivity to sound. Despite a growing national focus on inclusive…

Despite the many privileges of modern society, statistics suggest that Australia is in the midst of a wellbeing crisis, with rates of childhood depression and anxiety the highest they have ever been. Lindfield Learning Village, a revolutionary new state school located in Sydney’s North Shore, is seeking to address this through its innovative wellbeing model…

Fatter, sicker, sadder. It’s a phrase planning and design expert, Dr. Tony Matthews, doesn’t particularly like, but one which quite accurately captures the way modern, urban environments are impacting our children’s health and wellbeing. “Just a few decades ago, the air was cleaner, the streets were safer and children were able to enjoy a more…

In an age of technology obsession, distractibility and desensitization, the models of teaching that once served us are decreasing in relevance. Exposure to apps, television and social media channels - all vying for our attention with progressively fascinating stimuli – have hardwired the brains of young people, making it increasingly difficult to captivate their attention…

The word ‘evidence’ is undoubtedly one of the education sector’s biggest buzzwords this decade. In just a few years, the concept of evidence-based teaching (EBT) has achieved widespread acceptance – with few people disputing that if a teaching method is backed by ‘evidence’, it is inherently better than one which isn’t. But despite this, there…

Can robots write poetry? Provocative questions like this are now beginning to replace traditional academic subjects in schools, according to Peter Mahony of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences. Instead of isolating Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM), several pioneering schools throughout Australia are now delivering multidisciplinary, project-based lessons, that are centered around…

Teaching gifted children is a rewarding but often challenging experience. Just like any other student, gifted children have a right to an education which stimulates and stretches them. But without adequate learning experiences, they can easily become bored and disengaged; often underachieving in spite of their immense capabilities. With this in mind, Sydney Catholic Schools…

It is hard to imagine the largely uncivilized landscape of the Amazon Rainforest being described as a hub of world-class academia, thought-leadership and ground-breaking innovation. But thanks to a multi-billion-dollar reinvention of the Ecuadorian education system, which led to the building of Amazon-based university IKIAM, the region is fast gaining status in this realm. Professor…

We are on the brink of a fourth industrial revolution and Australia must increase participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects to meet the demands of its evolving job market. Our current education system isn’t converting enough students into modern, high-level professions such as nanotechnology, bio-engineering and computer science – yet these are…

Teaching gifted students is no easy feat. Easily bored and often more knowledgeable than their teachers, these children frequently come in the guise of class nuisances or even under-performers. Yet, like any other child, gifted students have a right to an education which stimulates and stretches them. The question is ‘how?’. Christine Ireland of AAEGT…

There is no doubt about it; Australia has a skills gap and needs to increase participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects to meet the demands of its evolving job market. Our current education system just isn’t converting enough students into modern, high-level professions such as nanotechnology and computer science – yet this…

Australian campuses reflect many of the characteristics and differences of the wider population and breaking down barriers and fears is important to enhancing the safety, security and well-being. To showcase some of the proactive and collaborative approaches, including the 'Police on Campus' pilot at Monash University, we spoke to Dr Helen Forbes-Mewett before her address…